Multivalent m6A motifs promote phase separation of YTHDF proteins

Phase transitions of multivalent proteins can promote clustering of membrane receptors

Clustering of proteins into micrometer-sized structures at membranes is observed in many signaling pathways. Most models of clustering are specific to particular systems, and relationships between physical properties of the clusters and their molecular components are not well understood. We report biochemical reconstitution on supported lipid bilayers of protein clusters containing the adhesion...

Intrinsically disordered linkers determine the interplay between phase separation and gelation in multivalent proteins

Phase transitions of linear multivalent proteins control the reversible formation of many intracellular membraneless bodies. Specific non-covalent crosslinks involving domains/motifs lead to system-spanning networks referred to as gels. Gelation transitions can occur with or without phase separation. In gelation driven by phase separation multivalent proteins and their ligands condense into den...

N6-Methyladenosine in Flaviviridae Viral RNA Genomes Regulates Infection

The RNA modification N6-methyladenosine (m6A) post-transcriptionally regulates RNA function. The cellular machinery that controls m6A includes methyltransferases and demethylases that add or remove this modification, as well as m6A-binding YTHDF proteins that promote the translation or degradation of m6A-modified mRNA. We demonstrate that m6A modulates infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV). Depl...

Influence of Radiation and Multivalent Cation Additions on Phase Separation and Crystallization of Glass

Multivalent Electrostatic Interactions and Autoinhibition Underlie Phase Separation of Npm1 with R-rich Nucleolar Protein Surf6

The nucleolus, the largest membrane-less organelle, is critical to cellular functioning as the site of ribosome biogenesis and as a fundamental cell stress sensor. It has previously been shown that the nucleolus assembles via liquid-liquid phase separation of its components from the surrounding nucleoplasm. Here, we show that two abundant nucleolar proteins often upregulated in certain cancers,...